AFCON Winners List: Which Team has Won AFCON the most?

As AFCON evolved side by side with International Football competitions, there have been many teams that have solidified their positions in the AFCON winners list thanks to their inspirational run during their winning years. From an early dominance of Egypt to Cameroon's rise to the top over the years, the narrative has changed when it comes to the most elite football competition of Africa.

As of 2025, 15 teams have been crowned champions at least once in this competition. Among all AFCON winners, there have been countries that have won the competition more than once. In this post, we will take a look at the AFCON winners list since the beginning of the competition.

List of AFCON Winners Since 1957

Let us take a look at the list of AFCON winners since 1957, along with their winning years:

Which Teams Are Featured in the African Cup of Nations Winners List?

When you take a look at the African Cup of Nations winners list, you will see that there have been a total of 15 countries that have won the prestigious trophy so far.

As of 2025, Egypt stands with the most trophies in the AFCON winners list. However, Cameron is right behind Egypt, having won the trophy on 4 different occasions. Here's a closer look at the AFCON past winners list:

Egypt (7 Titles)

Having won 7 titles since the inception of the competition, Egypt National Football Team is the most successful country in the history of AFCON. The Pharaohs won the first-ever AFCON back in 1957. They retained their title in the next competition in 1959. However, they were 3 times back to back winners of the tournament, having won the title in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Egypt is easily one of the most successful countries in the AFCON winners list.

Cameroon (5 Titles)

After Egypt, Cameroon Football Team is the most successful country in the AFCON winners list. The Indomitable Lions have won the title 5 times. The first time they won the AFCON was back in 1984. They also won the title back-to-back in 2000 and 20002. Their recent Africa Cup of Nations title win came in 2017, when they defeated Egypt with a 2-1 score. However, the Indomitable Lions have yet to reach the finals since then. As things stand right now, Cameroon is the nation that is closely chasing Egypt for the title of the most successful team in AFCON.

Ghana (4 Titles)

Having won a total of 4 titles so far, Ghana National Football team have solidified their spot among the elites from 1960 to the 80s. The Nation is one of the strongest football teams in the AFCON past winners list. Even before their consistency at the International football stage, they have been a successful footballing country on their continent.

One of the biggest teams in the AFCON winners list, their first title came back in 1963, when the host country defeated Sudan with a 3-0 score to be crowned champions. They were close to a 5th title back in 2015, where they were the runners-up of the tournament.

Nigeria (3 Titles)

Nigeria is one of the two nations that have 3 AFCON Titles in their name. The country won its first-ever trophy back in 1980. They defeated Algeria with a 3-0 score at the finals to claim the trophy for the first time. Their second title came back in 1994 when the competition took place in Tunisia. They defeated Zambia with a 2-1 score to claim the title for the second time. However, their latest title-winning run came in 2013, when they beat Burkina Faso with a 1-0 score.

Ivory Coast (3 Titles)

Ivory Coast is the 2nd nation in the AFCON winners list, who have 3 titles in its name. Their first title came in 1992. They claimed their first title after defeating Ghana with an 11-10 score after the match went on penalties.

History repeated in the 2015 final as the Ivory Coast again took the match against Ghana on penalties to claim their 2nd AFCON title. This time the score was 9-8. They have won their latest AFCON title as hosts in the latest AFCON competition that was held in 2023.

Algeria (2 Titles)

In the list of AFCON winners since 1957, Algeria is one of the two countries that have won the title 2 times. Their first-ever win came in 1990. With a solo goal from Oudjani at the finals against Nigeria, Algeria secured their first title. Life came to a full circle for the Nation when they were the runner-up on the 1980 AFCON competition that was won by the Nigeria National Football Team. Their second and latest win came in 2019, when they defeated Senegal National Football Team in the final with a 1-0 score.

DR Congo (2 Titles)

DR Congo is the second country in the AFCON winners list, who have a total of 2 trophies so far. Their first win came in 1968. With a solo goal from Kalala, Congo Kinsasha defeated Ghana for their 1st AFCON Title. 6 years later, DR Congo Football Team have done it again and become the 2-time AFCON winners.

This time, the winner was decided by a replay. As of now, they have featured over 20 editions of the AFCON Tournaments. DR Congo secured third place in 1998 and 2015.

Zambia (1 Title)

Having won the competition back in 2012, Zambia is one of the countries that are on the AFCON winners list. They defeated the Ivory Coast National Football Team on penalties with an 8-7 score to secure their only title so far. They have been the runners-up in 1974 and 1994. As of right now, the Zambia National Football Team has played in over 18 AFCON tournaments.

Strictly in Southern Africa, they are considered one of the strongest teams of the tournament.

Tunisia (1 Title)

Similar to Zambia, Tunisia is one of the countries that have won the AFCON only once. They won the competition back in 2004. With a 2-1 score, Tunisia defeated Morocco to win their first AFCON title. However, they have been the runners-up back in 1965 and 1996. As of now, the Tunisia National Football Team have participated in more than 21 AFCON competitions.

In the 83 games they played in the competition, they have won 25 times and lost 28 times, with the remaining games being tied.

Sudan (1 Title)

After coming in short multiple times, Sudan finally solidified their position in the AFCON winners list when they won the competition back in 1970. The decisive goal from El-Rasoul Omer decided the fate for the Sudanese side. But before their title-winning campaign, the Sudan National Football Team had their fair share of heartbreaks. They were the runners-up back in 1959 and 1963. Sudan is one of the first countries to ever take part in the competition and host the tournament.

Senegal (1 Title)

Similar to Sudan, Senegal have solidified their position among the AFCON winners list after suffering heartbreak multiple times. Sadio Mane and co. won the tournament after a penalty shootout back in 2021. But before that, the Senegalese side had their fair share of heartbreaks after being runners-up in both 2002 and 2019. Back in 1992, it was Senegal that hosted the AFCON competition. They are currently one of the strongest teams among the teams mentioned in this Africa Cup of Nations winners list.

South Africa (1 Title)

South Africa won the competition back in 1996 and solidified their position among the list of AFCON winners. They defeated Tunisia with a 2-0 score at the finals on FNB Stadium to win their first title. They were the runners-up in the next competition in 1998.

What almost seemed like a back-to-back shortly turned for the worse as Mostafa and Hassan from the Egyptian side spoiled the party for the South Africa National Football Team in the 1998 finals. They are one of the favorites to win the competition this year.

Ethiopia (1 Title)

Similar to South Africa, Ethiopia have won the AFCON only one time. They won the tournament back in 1962 and solidified their position among the AFCON winners list. At the finals, they met the United Arab Emirates. It was a match full of goals. It was Ethiopia who scored the first goal at the finals.

While Badawi's brace gave the UAE a one-goal lead up until the 75th minute, Ethiopia made a dramatic comeback and scored the second goal to take it to extra time, where they scored another two to claim their first title.

Morocco (1 Title)

The Morocco National Football Team are known for their consistency in International Competitions. However, in AFCON, the football team has yet to live up to its potential. While Morocco endured a massive heartbreak back in 2004, years before, they already tasted victory as they were the winners of the 1976 AFCON.

In the final, they defeated Guinea to secure their first-ever title. Including the AFCON 1976, the Morocco National Football Team have won four continental titles.

Congo (1 Title)

Congo is the only country in the AFCON winners list that have won the only time they were in the finals of AFCON. The country won the tournament back in 1972. It was a match full of goals. While Diakhite from Mali gave his team the lead, M'Bono's two back-to-back goals gave Congo the lead. Then M'Pele made it 3-1 for Congo. Even after Traore's 75th-minute goal for Mali, they failed to catch up to Congo by the 90th minute.

They are one of the Nations that have only one title so far among all AFCON winners. These are all the countries that are in the Africa Cup of Nations winners list. With the next competition just weeks away, who are the favorites to win it this year?